1999 Ford Taurus Complaint Log

TRYING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THE SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD GARAGE, AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIX IT UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE IT IS OVER 160,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF THIS RECALL. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION OUTSIDE HIS HOME ON DECEMBER 14, 2005 AT APPROXIMATELY MIDNIGHT. HE CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE TO FIND HIS 1999 FORD TAURUS ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE FIRE APPEARED TO BE LOCALIZED IN THE FRONT ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED, BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. BASED ON THE EVENTS IT BELIEVED THAT THE FIRE WAS RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. *AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 - *NM

ON DEC. 14, 2005, WITH 60,001 MILES, THE VEHICLES SERVICE (HYDRAULIC) BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. FULLERTON FORD OF SOMERVILLE, NJ EVALUATED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT A BADLY RUSTED STEEL BRAKE FLUID TUBE (WHICH FEEDS FLUID TO THE REAR BRAKES) HAD RUPTURED. GIVEN THE CARS LOW MILEAGE, RELATIVELY YOUNG AGE AND THE FACT THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE COULD LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT, I FEEL IT INDICATES SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS USED IN THE CARS MANUFACTURE AND SHOULD REQUIRE A RECALL AND PARTS REPLACEMENT AT FORD'S EXPENSE. *JB

DRIVING MY CAR DOWN THE STREET IN WHICH I LIVE WITH CHILD IN BACK SEAT. I TAPPED THE BRAKE TO PULL INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FROM 30 MPH TO 60 MPH IN SECONDS. MY INTENTION WAS TO PULL INTO MY DRIVEWAY BUT CAR TOOK OFF LIKE A ROCKET AND ACCELERATED INTO A HEAVY TRUCK ROUTE GOING THROUGH A STOP SIGN. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND COULD HAVE KILLED MYSELF AND THE OTHER VEHICLE. MY TAURUS SPUN OUT OF CONTROL FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THE COLLISION STOPPED THE CAR FROM ACCELERATING. THE OTHER VEHICLE PASSENGER HAD BROKEN RIBS, BOTH CARS WERE TOTALED. POLICE WERE AT THE SCENE AND TOWED CAR INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS NOT CITED, OBVIOUS MALFUNCTION OF CAR. A HEARING IS PENDING DUE TO INSURANCE SURCHARGE. THESE CARS ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND A FORD TAURUS TO ANYONE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *JB

DRIVING DOWN THE STREET IN WHICH I LIVE GOING 30 MPH, I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY. MY 11 YEAR OLD WAS IN THE BACK SEAT. SUDDENLY THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AFTER I TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY. THE MORE I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE THE FASTER THE CAR WOULD SPEED GOING FROM 30 MPH TO 70 MPH. I FLEW THROUGH A STOP SIGN ONTO A HEAVILY TRAVELED TRUCK ROUTE SLAMMING INTO A KIA SUV. THE OTHER PASSENGER BROKE RIBS, A DOG WAS EJECTED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THIS CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND COULD HAVE KILLED PEOPLE. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE VEHICLE WAS THE CRASH ITSELF SPINNING MY CAR IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A TOTAL NIGHTMARE! BOTH CARS WERE DECLARED TOTALED. POLICE WERE AT THE SCENE AND I WAS NOT CITED. MY CAR WAS TOWED INTO MY DRIVEWAY. COURT CASE PENDING FOR SURCHARGE. *JB

THE REAR EXHAUST SPROCKET ON THE CAMSHAFT OF MY 1999 FORD TAURUS SHO CAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE VALVES TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE PISTONS. THIS IS NOT A RARE OCCURENCE EITHER. MANY CASES OF THIS ARE BEING DOCUMENTED ON A WEBSITE CALLED WWW.V8SHO.COM. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY SHE PUT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. THE MAIN BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS BEING REPLACED. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION LURCHED FORWARD. AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS PURCHASED. HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT COVERED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK

CAR "BOUNCING" A LOT, BROTHER IN LAW SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A BUBBLE IN THE TIRE. HAD THE TIRES CHANGED AND MY HUSBAND WAS CALLED OVER BY MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TOLD MY HUSBAND WE HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOWED HIM THAT THE RODS FOR STEERING WERE LOOSE BUT THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE TIGHT. HE SAID IT WAS THE RACK PINION. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR WHERE I COULD HAVE IT FIXED AND CAME ACROSS 0 RECALLS YET HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE IN A 1999 FORD TAURUS. *NM

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON INTERESTATE. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ROUGHLY WHILE IN OVERDRIVE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RACE AND BOG DOWN. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $1600.00. THIS OCCURED EVEN AFTER THE LUBE TUBE WAS REPLACED BY FORD AS PART OF A RECALL PROGRAM.

WHEN YOU HIT THE HORN THE ENGINE TRIES TO CUT OUT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE CAR JERKS REALLY BAD LIKE YOU SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL ONLY WORKS HALF THE TIME. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS YET. IT IS GOING INTO THE SHOP IN A WEEK. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT READ IN A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ABOUT THE 2000-2001 FORD TAURUS INVESTIGATION CONCERNING THE REAR COIL SPRINGS BREAKING AND COULD PUNCTURE A TIRE. THE INVESTIGATION NUMBER IS PE05054. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TAURUS WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE ARTICLE. HE NOTICED THIS ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND THE DEALERSHIP FOUND IT THEN. THE DEALER CUT THE SPRING SO IT WOULD NOT PUNCTURE THE TIRE. HE WAS NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT THEY DID, BUT IT WAS STILL BROKEN. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THIS CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE INVESTIGATION. HE IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR. *AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB

DT: THE BRAKE LINES TUBING RUSTED FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND THE CONSUMER LOST BRAKING ABILITY. HAD TO TAKE A SECTION OUT. TALKED TO DEALER, THEY SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 26, 2005. WAS PULLING IT INTO THE SHED CHANGED THE OIL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. *AK THE TUBE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED (F8DZ-2C287/AA, F6DZ-2L568/AA, F8DZ-26569/AA). THE CONSUMER HAD THE FACTORY PARTS REPLACED TO PREVENT FURTHER FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STILL HAS THE OLD PART IN HIS POSSESSION. *NM

ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, I HEARD NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT OF MY 1999 FORD TAURUS AS I TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT. AS I LEFT THE PARKING LOT, THE STEERING SEEMED "STIFF" AND ON HARD TURNS THERE WAS NOISE. AS A RESULT, I TOOK MY CAR IMMEDIATELY TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THE ATTENDANT LOOKED AT THE STEERING FLUID AND FOUND IT TO BE "DIRTY" AND LOW. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT WE TRY CHANGING THE FLUID TO DETERMINE IF THAT WOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT COSTLY DIAGNOSTICS. BY THE TIME I ARRIVED HOME (APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES) THE STEERING ONCE AGAIN WAS NOISY AND "STIFF". SINCE I WAS TO BE OUT OF TOWN UNTIL WEDNESDAY, I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING (WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24). THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING AND POWER STEERING FLUID PUMP WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,100. THE TAURUS HAS ONLY 48,700 MILES. AS I LOOKED AT THE DOT WEBSITE, I DISCOVERED 3 OR 4 IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ON THE 1999 FORD TAURUS. ONE OF THESE VEHICLES HAD 48,000 MILES.

CONSUMER VEHICLE MADE A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND THEN DIED. *TS*** NAR RECEIVED 10-12-05*** WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH PUDDLES THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY THE POWER STEERING LOCKING UP AND STALLING. THE DEALER CONCLUDED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE CRANK PULLEY, TENSIONER OR IDLER PULLEY. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

DT: CONTACT STATES HER SEAT BELTS IN 1999 FORD TAURUS KEPT RETRACTING AND JAMMING. SHE NOTICED THIS IN OCTOBER 2000. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP 7 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER HAS NOT TOLD HER WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED SEAT BELTS WERE VERY SHORT, AND WERE NOT PULLING OUT PROPERLY. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT HAS A 1999 FORD TAURUS AND HAS HAD CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT NEW. SHE HAS BEEN COMPLAINING FOR THE LAST 48,000 MILES FOR THE SAME THINGS. MOST RECENTLY LAST WEEK SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A LEAK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH THEY REPAIRED. . THEY CLEANED THE HUBS. SHE HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. THEY REPLACED BRAKE BOOSTER, MACHINED ROTORS, AND PUT NEW BRAKE PADS ON. AT 1,700 MILES HAD TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A NOISE SHE FROM THE BRAKES. THEY CLEANED THE HUBS. AT 22,466 BRAKES AND SERPENTINE BELT WERE CHECKED. THEY PUT A NEW SERPENTINE BELT ON AT 22,500 MILES. ALSO, HAD MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. 4 MULTIFUNCTION SWITCHES WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A HEAD LAMP CONTROL SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT 17,000 MILE, AND A NEW RADIO PUT IN.*AK THE A/C HAD ALO BEE WORKED ON TWICE. *NM

SEAT BELT BECAME UNUSABLE. TWO OTHER SEAT BELTS IN SAME CAR WERE REPLACED WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY FOR SAME PROBLEM. A FOURTH SEAT BELT WORKS, BUT WITH DIFFICULTY. PAID DEALER TO REPLACE UNUSABLE SEAT BELT. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS PROBLEMS AND SOME RECALLS WITH SAME MODEL CAR BUT DIFFERENT RELEASE. *JB

DT: CONSUMER CALLED IN REGARD TO A RECALL 04M04 HE RECEIVED IN 08-2004 REGARDING CORRODED COIL SPRINGS, CAUSING A RUPTURED TIRE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE REMEDY WAS TO MAKE A SHIELD AND TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS WHEN THIS SHIELD WAS READY. ON 12-30-04, VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED. HE HAD THE COIL SPRINGS REPLACED. IN 1-05, CONSUMER RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL #04S17, EXPLAINING THE DELAY IN GETTING THESE SHIELDS PREPARED. IN 05-2005, HE RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE RECALL. FORD SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT EITHER. NEITHER WOULD REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE REPAIR WORK HE ALREADY HAD DONE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION ON WENT OUT AFTER THE COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. HE FELT THAT TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED IN 2004. *AK

DT: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04S17-04M04 ON FRONT SPRINGS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SPRINGS. THE CONSUMER SAID THE REAR SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THEDRIVEWAY WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED IT UP AND HE HEARD A LOT OF NOISE. CALLER SAID HE WAS LUCKY HE WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. MANUFACTURER IS OFFERING NO HELP.*AK *JB

I NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR AND HEAT IN MY 1999 FORD TAURUS. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD THAT A FREEZE PLUG ON MY ENGINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH, AND ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE CAR. I SPENT A LITTLE OVER $200 TO REPLACE THE FREEZE PLUG (MOSTLY LABOR CHARGES). TWO MONTHS LATER, MY AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING AGAIN, SO I CHECKED ON THE ANTIFREEZE LEVEL, AND IT WAS AGAIN EMPTY. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT ANOTHER FREEZE PLUG HAD FAILED, AND HE ESTIMATED IT WOULD BE BETWEEN $250 AND $450 TO REPLACE IT. I DO HAVE THE FIRST FREEZE PLUG; THE SECOND HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED YET.

THE POWER STEERING ON MY CAR IS COMPLETELY SHOT. WE'VE REPLACE THE PUMP AND EXAMINED THE HOSE/LINES WITH NO SUCCESS. I'M AM ONLY ABLE TO STEER MY CAR WITH MUCH EFFORT. TURNING OR SWERVING QUICKLY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT WOULD BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT NUMEROUS FORD TAURAUS'S HAVE SUFFERD THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS A MANUFACTUER DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

STEERING RACK IN 1999 FORD TARUS. PER THE AUTO SHOP THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TYPE OF VECHICLE, STATED THAT IT WAS JUST A POOR DESIGN

DT: ON 06/13/05 CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE GARAGE. WHEN DRIVER WAS TURNING ON THE CAR SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DRIVER TOLD HER HUSBAND, AND AS HUSBAND CAME OUT TO THE VEHICLE, HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM CRACKS IN THE HOOD. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE GARAGE WAS ON FIRE ALONG WITH TWO OTHER GARAGES, ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. THERE WAS AN ARSON INVESTIGATOR, WHO REPORTED THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT OF LAKEWOOD ISSUED REPORT # 105-15803-1331-445. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATOR LOCATED OUT OF NEWHALL OWNER HAS THE PHONE NUMBER AND NAMES OF THE INVESTIGATORS. *AK

I HAVE A 1999 FORD TAURUS I HAVE THE ANTI-BREAK SYSTEM (ABS). I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND NEVER MADE ANY NOISE UNTIL THE PAST WEEK. I BROUGHT IT INTO FORD GARAGE AND THEY SAID IT IS COMMON AND DON'T WORRY. WHILE DRIVING I FEEL PULSATION AND VIBRATION WHILE BREAKING. WHEN I DO GO SPEED ABOVE 10MPH IT STOPS. IF I STOP AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND START AGAIN IT AGAIN VIBRATES AND PULSATES. IT IT SCARY BECAUSE YOU FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. THEY TELL ME IT IS COMMON AND IN THE MANUAL. IF IT DID THIS WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR OR ANYONE THIS MODEL I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD OF SOLD A CAR. I FEEL FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY ARE AWARE OF IT.

CAR: 1999 FORD TAURUS SE SEDAN A PROBLEM HAS STARTED OCCURING WITH MY FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS SINCE OCT 2004. THE WIPERS ARE MALFUNCTIONING, WHEREBY THEY COME ON INTERMITTENTLY EVEN WHEN THE WIPER-SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY DEALER ( DILLON FORD, 30 TOLLAND TURNPIKE, MANCHESTER,CT ) TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM EXAMINED AND FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $75.00 TO EXAMINE THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIANS REPORTED THAT THEY WERE NTO ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND FELT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE A FAILED GEM MODULE. I ORDERED A NEW GEM MODULE THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD MY GEM MODULE REPLACED. THIS COST ME ABOUT $400.00. THE REPLACEMENT DID NOT FIX MY PROBLEM AT ALL. I STILL HAVE IN MY POSSESSION MY OLD GEM MODULE; THE CAR HAS THE NEW GEM MODULE. I TOOK THE CAR AGIAN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 05/20/2005 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED, HOWEVER THE TECHNICIANS AGAIN REPORTED THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. MEANWHILE I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE MALFUNCTIONING WIPERS, AND I FEEL THIS IS NOT ONLY A HUGE IRRITANT, BUT ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD.

WHILE GOING THROUGH A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AT RUSH HOUR, MY 1999 FORD TAURUS JUST STOPPED. IT WILL ONLY OPERATE IN REVERSE. THE CAR HAS JUST UNDER 50,000 ORIGINAL MILES. THERE HAS TO BE SOME DEFECT FOR A VEHICLE TO HAVE THIS KIND OF PROBLEM WITH SUCH REASONABLE MILES.

CRUSIE CONTROL SWITCH STOPPED WORKING. DEALER SPENT AN HOUR FINDING PROBLEM WHICH HE SAID WAS CASUED BY SWITCH ON BRAKE PEDAL LOSING ADJUSTMENT.PAID $90.00 TO "ADJUST". SEVERAL MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED.

LOWER BALL JOINTS LOOSE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED.

I HAVE A 1999 FORD TAURUS. MY CAR WAS RECALLED IN DECEMBER OF 2004 FOR THE COIL SPRINGS TO HAVE A COVER PLACED ON THEM TO PREVENT CORROSION AND BREAKAGE. I HAD THE RECALL DONE AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS STARTED NOTICING A LOUD CLUNK AND BANG FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHILE PERFORMING A TURN. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE FORD DEALER WHO PERFORMED THE RECALL AND HAD THEM CHECK THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THEY CLAIMED THEY ARE OKAY. A YEAR HAS PASSED AND THE NOISE HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. BASED ON THE FORD DEALER TELLING ME THAT THE COIL SPRING IS OKAY, I DECIDED TO PURCHASE FOUR NEW STRUTS IN HOPES OF RECTIFYING THE LOUD CLUNK. THE NOISE IS STILL THERE EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE STRUTS. THEY COST ME $650.00. NOW I FEEL I MAY HAVE WASTED THAT MONEY. I VISITED A FORD TAURUS FORUM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT QUITE A FEW PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF THE SPRING FAILS ON A HIGHWAY. *NM

GAS TANK RUSTED THROUGH, AND LEAKING.

THE COIL SPRINGS FAILED ON THE CONSUMERS 1999 FORD TAURUS. *JB A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN AUG 2004 REGARDING THE COIL SPRINGS AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD SHE WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVED, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND THEREFORE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE COIL SPRINGS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE REPAIRS MADE AT ANOTHER FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CONSUMERS CLAIM BECAUSE THE REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. *JB *NM

CONTACT STATES: DROVE CAR 1/2 MILE USING HEADLIGHTS BY THE TIME SHE ENTERED THE DRIVEWAY A BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF FRONT DRIVER SIDE HOOD ABOVE THE HEADLIGHTS. SMELLED BETWEEN TAR AND GLUE SMELL. IT SMELLS EVEN WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT IN USE DROVE LESS THAN 1/2 MILE. FORD DEALERSHIP DID SAY IT SOUNDED ELECTRICAL.

ON APRIL 23, 2005 AT APPROXIMATELY 2100 HOURS ON INTERSTATE 59 SOUTH IN RURAL ALABAMA MY DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED A TIRE MALFUNCTION IN MY FORD TAURUS. THE TIRES TREAD TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED CAUSING EXTENSIVE BODY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE (APPROX. $1800). MY OWN PERSONAL INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT SITE AND TIRE ALONG WITH THE STATEMENTS OF THE WRECKER DRIVER AND BODY SHOP REPRESENTATIVE SHOW THAT THE TIRE WAS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. THE DAMAGE TO THE TIRE IS EERILY SIMILAR TO THE DEFECTIVE SUV TIRES RECALLED BY FIRESTONE A FEW YEARS AGO. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING THE TIRE MANUFACTURER TO INFORM THEM OF THIS PROBLEM AND TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TOWING AND REPAIRS. TIRE INFORMATION: LEMANS TOURING P205/65R15 M+S DOT HYUR LT4 DO5L

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL IN AUG 2004 REGARDING FRONT COIL SPRINGS #04V332000 (MFG RECALL #04217). THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT WAS INFORMED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER SHE WOULD RECEIVE LETTER INDICATING WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. AS OF 4/22/05 NO LETTER REGARDING PARTS AVAILABLE. THE LETTER INDICATED REPAIRS MUST BE DONE BY JULY OR THE OWNER IS LIABLE FOR REPAIRS. *JB

TRANSMISSION FAILED! FORD SEEMS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WANTS TO DO NOTHING!*AK

EXPERIENCED A CAMSHAFT RELATED ENGINE FAILURE AT 70 MPH IN THE LEFT LANE OF A MAJOR INTERSTATE. VEHICLE HAD TO TAKE EMERGENCY ACTION TO CROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SHOULDER WHILE THE ENGINE WAS OFF AND NO POWER ASSIST WAS AVAILABLE TO BRAKES OR STEERING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN OPERATING FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF CITY DRIVING AND 1 HOUR OF HIGHWAY SPEEDS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER SHOWED ME THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE EXACT SAME CONDITION REPORTED ON WWW.V8SHO.COM. THERE OVER 530 DOCUMENTED CASES OF CAMSHAFT TO SPROCKET SPLEEN FAILURES WHERE THE PISTONS THEN IMPACT STATIONARY VALVES AND DESTROY THE MOTOR. THE DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER RECOMMENDED I CONTACT FORD ENGINEERING TO ADVISE THEM OF THE FAILURE SINCE IT DID NOT APPEAR TO BE A MAINTENANCE OR WEAR RELATED ISSUE. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH A JUNK YARD MOTOR AT A COST OF OVER $6000 SINCE THE PISTONS AND VALVES HAD DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO SERVICE BULLETINS, CONTACT FROM THE MANUFACTURER OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO NEW FACTORY ENGINES AVAILABLE AND 3RD PARTY MOTORS WERE TWICE THE BLUE BOOK VALUE OF THE CAR.*AK PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE SCOPE OF THIS PROBLEM AND REQUIRE THE MANUFACTURER TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS ENGINEERING FLAW. THIS FAILURE IS A CATASTROPHIC ONE THAT DESTROYS AN ENGINE AND IS CERTAINLY SOLVABLE IF ADDRESSED EARLY ENOUGH. MY FAMILY WAS MOST FORTUNATE THAT THIS PROBLEM DID NOT CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL CAMPAIGN# 04V332000 CONCERNING THE COIL SPRINGS WHICH WAS MANDATED BY LOCATION. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED AND REFUSED TO DO THR REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THAT CONSUMER 'S VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND REPAIRS SHOULD BE MADE. *AK *SC *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON HIS 1999 FORD TAURUS ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. THE RECALL WAS ON #04V332000 NHTSA, FORD# 04S17 ON THE SUSPENSION: FRONT COIL SPRING: PROTECTIVE SHIELD. THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT FORD RECOMMENDED IN THE CONSUMERS AREA ON MAY 19, 2005. THE VEHICLE DID NOT MAKE ANY NOISE UNTIL THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE. THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE ON THE FRONT WHEEL. THE DEALER PERFORMED RECALL ON 04S17. THE OWNER STARTED NOTICING THE NOISE RIGHT AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE. THE OWNER CALLED THE DEALER AND INFORMED THEM ABOUT THE NOISE. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK ON JUNE 9, 2005. THE DEALER CHECKED AND SAID HE FOUND PROBLEMS IN THE FRONT SWAY BAR AND THE LINKAGES. THE DEALER SAID HE WOULD REPLACE THE SWAY BAR AND LINKS FOR $160.00. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER CERTIFIED QUALIFIED MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE SWAY BAR LINKS. THEN THE OWNER CALLED FORD AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THEM HAVING THE SWAY BAR CHECKED. FORD TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT HE COULD GO TO ANOTHER DEALER. FORD WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN TOUCH WITH THE CONSUMER 10 DAYS PRIOR TO TODAY AND THEY WERE NOT. FORD TOLD THE CAR OWNER HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND ANY OTHER REPAIRS THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL THE CAR REPAIR WORK WAS DONE. FORD WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY ONE ELSE'S OPINION EXCEPT FOR THE FORD DEALERSHIPS WORD. THE CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE ADDRESS OF THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED.*JB *NM

AFTER RECALL REPAIRS FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRING WAS PERFORMED STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH OR SLOWER. DEALER STATED THEY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.*AK

THE CAR HAS 84,000 MILES, NO WARNING SIGNS. I HAD JUST GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE AND WAS STOPPED BEHIND ANOTHER CAR. WHEN I STARTED OUT I HEARD A THUNK AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T WORK.THE CAR IS NOW AT THE FORD GARAGE AND THE COST OF A FACTORY REBUILT TRANSMISSION IS $2500.00.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE PRODUCES A TICKING NOISE. DEALER STATES THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAS MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE IN MOTION. *AK

FORD TAURUS 1999, BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS SEIZED UP. *BF THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS, THE CAUSE WAS THE PLASTIC SPOOL THAT THE SEAT BELT WRAPPED AROUND HAD CRACKED AND BROKE INTO PIECES, THE PIECES BECAME JAMMED IN THE SEAT BELTS AS THEY WERE RETRACTED OR EXTENDED. THE HUB OF THE SPOOL THAT THE SEAT BELT WRAPPED AROUND WAS ALSO SEVERELY CRACKED IN MANY PLACES . *JB

1999 FORD TAURUS EXPERIENCED TIRE BLOW OUT ON GENERAL UNIROYAL TIRE EQUIPMENT.*MR

'RECALL CAMPAIGN' ISSUED FOR FRONT COIL SPRINGS ON 1999 FORD TAURUS. *BF RECALL# 04V332000. *SC

'RECALL CAMPAIGN' FORD TAURUS 1999 RECALL WAS NOT COMPLETED FOR THE CONSUMER. *BF RECALL# 04V332000. *SC

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE, CAUSING A TIRE BLOW OUT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

UNDER 40,000 MILES ON MY 1999 FORD TAURUS AND IT HAS A POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE WHICH CAUSES NO POWER ASSIST TO THE STEERING, EVEN AFTER REFILLING UNIT WITH FLUID. LOUD WHINE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT DOES NOT ABATE WITH FLUID REFILL. PROBLEM CAME ON SUDDENLY AND WIFE HAD DIFFICULT TIME DRIVING HOME WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. UNIT DOES NOW SEEM TO HOLD FLUID, BUT FLUID POURING OUT THE TOP OF CAP IS EVIDENT, AND WHINE IS STILL PRESENT.*AK

I OWN A 1999 FORD TAURUS WITH 53,000 MILES. I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE REGARDING A FRONT COIL SPRING DEFECT IN AUGUST OF 2004. THIS NOTICE SAID THAT I WOULD BE CONTACTED AGAIN IN DECEMBER FOR DETAILS ON GETTING SHIELDS INSTALLED AROUND THE COIL SPRINGS WHICH WOULD PREVENT POTENTIAL PUNCTURING OF FRONT TIRES IF THE COIL SPRINGS BROKE. DECEMBER CAME AND WENT AND IN FEBRUARY I RECEIVED ANOTHER NOTICE FROM FORD STATING THAT THE SHIELDS WERE NOT AVAILABLE YET AND I WOULD BE CONTACTED AGAIN IN MARCH. AS FATE WOULD HAVE IT A COIL SPRING BROKE IN FEBRUARY, PUNCTURING AND IMMEDIATELY DEFLATING A BRAND NEW TIRE. THANK GOD IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I DON'T EVEN WANT TO THINK ABOUT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF IT BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY WHOLE FAMILY IN THE CAR. AS I WENT THROUGH THE REPAIR PROCESS, MY LOCAL FORD DEALER TRIED TO DO WHATEVER THEY COULD TO MAKE ME HAPPY. HOWEVER, I ENDED UP HAVING TO CALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN DETROIT AND FOUND THEM TO BE TOTALLY ARROGANT. THEY APPEAR TO BE LOOKING AT THIS FROM A DOLLARS AND CENTS POINT OF VIEW, RATHER THAN THE HUGE SAFETY HAZARD IT IS. WORST OF ALL, THEY ARE REALLY DRAGGING THEIR HEELS ON GETTING THIS PROBLEM FIXED IN AN EXPEDIENT MANNER. ALTHOUGH I HAVE OWNED FORD PRODUCTS FOR THE PAST 18 YEARS, I CAN'T SEE THIS CONTINUING GIVEN THEIR LACK OF URGENCY RELATIVE TO PRODUCT DEFECTS JEOPARDIZING THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. *JB

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V332000 CONCERNING FRONT COIL SPRING. AFTER HAVING THE PROTECTIVE SPRING SHIELDS INSTALLED AND WHILE DRIVING DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK HOWEVER, WHEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STRUTS DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TT....*AK